WO1997028708A1

WO1997028708A1 - Cooling device adapted to be removably attached to a garment e.g. hat, shirt

Info

Publication number: WO1997028708A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Twiston Crisp
Original assignee: Jonathan Twiston Crisp
Priority date: 1996-02-05
Filing date: 1997-02-05
Publication date: 1997-08-14
Also published as: AUPN789596A0

Abstract

This invention relates to a cooling device for reducing a person's body heat (e.g. a golfer, a truck driver). The cooling device is able to be attached to a garment. The cooling device (200) comprises: a core material (208) capable of absorbing and holding a quantity of liquid (e.g. water), the core material being adapted to release the liquid through evaporation over a period of time, thus absorbing heat; a cover (202, 204) for the core material, the cover being adapted to permit evaporation of the liquid from the core material; attachment means (210) to permit the device to be removably attached to a garment (such as headwear, dress, shirt).

Description

COOLINGDEVICEADAPTEDTOBEREMOVABLYATTACHEDTOAGARMENTE.G.HAT,SHIRT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a cooling device.

BACKGROUND ART

Homeothermic mammals, especially man, regulate body temperature by the generation of heat. Most mammals have a system of secreting moisture, in the form of perspiration or sweat, to maintain body temperature when ambient temperature exceeds body temperature.

However, this can result in dehydration and, in extreme circumstances, an upset in the normal balance of body salts. The blood may become concentrated and, if the perspiration loss is not slowed or water and salt are not replenished, the circulation may fail.

For example, a person playing golf on a hot day will be exposed to high ambient temperatures and will usually perspire profusely to keep his body at an acceptable temperature. After he has played a number of holes, the golfer will have lost a significant amount of body moisture and, unless he has been able to replenish that moisture, will be experiencing the effects of dehydration.

As another example, a truck driver will encounter high temperatures in the truck cabin on hot days and will lose a lot of moisture through perspiration. It is not always possible or convenient for a truck driver to stop for a drink and so he, too, is likely to become dehydrated. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that a cooling device, using a suitable core material, may be soaked in water or other suitable liquid, shaken or wrung out to remove excess liquid, and worn around or against the body, so as to provide significant assistance in cooling the body. As the liquid in the device evaporates, latent heat of vaporisation is removed from the body with which it is in contact.

There are substantial advantages if such a cooling device is combined with an item of clothing. For example, the device may form part of a hat or sun visor, or be integrated into the neckline of a shirt. Those advantages are greatly enhanced if the cooling device is removably attached to an item of clothing.

Accordingly, thiε invention provides a cooling device for reducing body heat, the device comprising a core material capable of absorbing and holding a quantity of liquid, the core material being adapted to release the liquid through evaporation over a period of time, thus absorbing heat, a cover for the core material, the cover being adapted to permit evaporation of the liquid from the core material, and attachment means to permit the device to be removably attached to a garment. (The term "garment" as used herein includes headwear. )

This invention also provides a garment to which the cooling device of the invention is removably attached.

The nature of the core material is very important. It must be capable of absorbing and holding a quantity of a suitable liquid {eg., water), since otherwise the cooling effect will be too short-lived. The core material, either by itself or in combination with a covering material, must be capable of releasing the liquid principally through evaporation, since otherwise the liquid will drip down the body of the wearer. This capability must be maintained during normal activity, such as golfing and truck driving.

Thus, simple experimentation will show that most material with large cell structure, such as a normal sponge, will not be suitable, since the liquid will be released too readily from the cells and drip from the device. The material may need to be not only highly absorbent, but also to have a suitable cell structure.

In one embodiment, the core material is in one or more large pieces and is pliable when engorged with water and stiffens as the water evaporates. The stiffening effect is convenient because the wearer will be able to gauge the quantity of water remaining in the core by the degree of stiffness of the device.

A suitable core material for this embodiment may be an acrylic polymer in strip form, for example.

In another embodiment, the core material takes the form of crystals of copolymer, such as water storage granules available under the trade mark WATER-SORB, supplied by Growth Technology, of 244 South Terrace, South Fremantle, Western Australia 6162. Other suitable core materials will be apparent to one skilled in the art: it may be found, for example, that most crystals used in hydroponics may be suitable.

The cover for the core material may be any suitable material, bearing in mind the need for the covering to permit evaporation of liquid (preferably water) from the core, and any desire to integrate the appearance of the cover with the garment.

A textile material such as cotton or a similar material may be suitable. The cover will usually be colour-coordinated to the garment and compatible with it in terms of material. As indicated, the liquid absorbed by the core material is preferably water, since this is readily available and inexpensive. However, it is possible that other liquids may also be used.

The attachment means may take the form of any suitable attachment means, including without limitation hook-and-loop types closures (sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO), sliding clasp fasteners, press studs and buttons. In most embodiments, the attachment means will form part of the device itself, optionally with co-operating attachment means on the garment to which the device is to be attached. In other embodiments, the attachment means will form part of the garment to which the device of the invention is intended to be attached.

For example, the garment may be a shirt or dress, or headwear such as a hat, headband, sunvisor or helmet. In the case of a shirt or dress, the device of the invention will usually be most effective if adapted for attachment to the collar or neck region of the garment. In this type of embodiment, preferably the hook portion of a hook-and-loop closure will be attached to the cover of the device. Preferably, the corresponding loop portion of the hook-and-loop closure will be attached to the collar or neck region of the garment. The device of the invention can be attached to and removed from the garment by operation of the hook-and-loop closure.

In the case of headwear such as a hat, headband, sunvisor or helmet, preferably the device of the invention is adapted for attachment to the inner rim of the headwear or where an internal hat band would be found on a hat. The attachment means may comprise a hook-and-loop closure, as already described, with one part of the closure on the cover of the device, and the other part of the closure inside the headwear. In another form, the headwear may include a channel or rim or hatband into which the device of the invention may be fitted and thus attached, this configuration comprising the attachment meanε. It is preferred that the device of the invention, when attached to headwear, is attached in such a way as to enable the device to contact the forehead region of the wearer.

While the device of the invention can be attached to a garment, it is also removable therefrom. This has decided advantages. If the device were permanently attached to the garment, in order to cause the core material to absorb liquid prior to use for reducing body heat, it would be necessary to soak all or a major portion of the garment in the liquid. In the case of a garment such as a shirt or dress, this would require drying of the garment and, in all probability, ironing before the garment could be regarded as presentable.

In the case of headwear, it would be difficult to avoid soaking the entire item. Once again, this would result in the need to dry the rest of the headwear. In addition, any stiffening material, such as that in the brim of a hat or the visor of a sunvisor, may be damaged if not waterproof. In the case of a headband, it would not be possible to avoid soaking the whole headband, which would subsequently drip liquid when worn.

In the case of the present invention, on the other hand, it is only the cooling device and not the entire garment which needs to be soaked in the liquid, so the above problems are avoided.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use with shirts, dresses and headwear, although these are preferred garments.

There is one particularly-preferred type of headwear for use in conjunction with the present invention and this will now be described.

Conventional sunvisors have an opaque or darkly coloured visor to provide shade. The visor is usually held on the head by means of two straps which fasten at the rear of the head. While shade to the face is provided, conventional sun visors do not provide any coverage of the head. Further, the straps tend to be of stiff plastic material and cannot be folded, making storage and transport awkward.

It is also known to tie a folded or rolled piece of cloth (commonly referred to as a bandanna) around the head. However, a bandanna provides neither shade to the face nor coverage to the head.

A new type of headwear has been devised, comprising a sheet of flexible material having a front edge, a visor portion being attached to the sheet at the front edge. The sheet is sized such that it may be wrapped around the head of the wearer and portions of the sheet adjacent opposite ends of the front edge may be tied together.

In one form, the sheet is shaped such that it can cover substantially all of the wearer's scalp. The sheet may also be shaped so that it can be rolled or folded to provide two bands extending either side of the visor portion. When configured to provide two bands, the sheet preferably leaves most of the wearer's scalp uncovered.

Preferably the sheet is triangular in shape, but other shapes may be used.

The sheet may be comprised of a single layer or of two or more layers. When comprised of two layers, the layers may be formed by folding a single piece of material about the front edge. Alternatively, the layers may be formed of separate pieces of material joined together at the front edge. Preferably, the remaining edges remain unattached to each other.

To aid in providing a good fit on the wearer's head, the front edge of the sheet may be curved. If a single piece of material is utilised to provide two layers, normally the front edge will be straight. However, this may be rectified by provision of darts to provide a curved edge.

Preferably, the sheet is comprised of a fabric such as cotton or silk. Other fabrics may be utilised, or other materials other than fabric. Preferably the sheet is continuous but it may be provided with holes or cuts for ventilation or for aesthetic reasons.

The device of the present invention may be adapted for attachment to the sheet and/or the visor portion of thiε headwear, so that the wearer may derive both the advantages of this new type of sunvisor and the cooling effect of the device of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in connection with preferred embodiments which are not to be regarded as limiting on the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the cooling device of the invention, in conjunction with the new type of headwear referred to above (seen from beneath);

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the headwear of Fig. 1 as it would appear when worn;

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the cooling device of the invention, with the core inside the cover shown in dotted outline;

Fig. 4 shows how the embodiment of Fig. 3 can be attached to a shirt or dress; Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the cooling device of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 5, taken along the lines A - A of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows the embodiment of Figs 5 and 6 attached to the inside of a baseball cap;

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of Figs 5 and 6 attached to a headband;

Fig. 9 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the cooling device of the invention; and

Fig. 10 shows the embodiment of Fig. 9 attached to a hat.

Illustrated in Fig. 1 is an article of headwear 10, having a visor portion 12 and a fabric portion 14. The visor portion 12 is a conventional shape and is preferably comprised of a relatively stiff material, such as plastic or reinforced fabric. Other suitable material may, of course, be used.

The fabric portion 14 is triangular in shape and has front edge 16 and side edges 18 and 20 which meet at rear apex 22. Fabric portion 14 is symmetrical with straight side edges 18 and 20. However, in other embodiments, side edges 18 and 20 may be curved. Front edge 16 is curved, although in other embodiments it may be straight. A curved front edge 16 allows the fabric portion 14 to be wrapped around the head of a wearer with no or little creasing of edge 16.

The visor portion 12 has a curved rear edge 24 which attaches to the central portion of the front edge 16 of fabric portion 14. The visor portion 12 may be planar or it may be shaped so as to define a curved surface, such as part of a cylinder. Fabric portion 14 may be rolled or folded so that a continual band or bandanna is formed (not shown) , extending to each side of the visor portion 12. The two band portions may then be wrapped around the head of the wearer with the visor portion 12 above the face and then tied together at the back of the head.

Conversely, little or no folding and merely tying the fabric together, forming knot 26 and tails 28 and 30, results in a 'cap' effect in which substantially all of the head is covered, as in Fig 2.

The shape and configuration of the fabric portion 14 may be varied from a basic triangle. For instance, a cut line may be placed in the fabric portion 14 extending from the apex 22 toward the visor portion 12, to aid in forming the two band portions referred to above. Alternatively, a V-shaped portion may be cut out of the fabric portion 14 for a similar purpose.

It will be recalled that the plan view of headwear 10 in Fig 1 illustrates the view from beneath. Sewn along the edge of visor 12 on the inside of headwear 10 is the hook portion 32 of a Velcro closure. The loop portion 34 of the closure is sewn to covering 40. Covering 40 takes the form of a flat tube stitched transversely at 36 and 38 to form three compartments, each of which contains small beads of the copolymer sold under the trade mark WATER-SORB, referred to above.

Before use, covering 40 and its enclosed contents are soaked in water for the required period of time. Excess water is shaken from the covering 40. Closure 34 is then attached to closure 32. When headwear 10 is wrapped around the wearer's head, covering 40 (shown in dashed outline in Fig 2) comes into contact with the wearer's forehead, and provides a cooling effect as water evaporates. Thus headwear 10 protects the wearer from the effect of the sun on a bare head, while at the same time shielding the eyes from glare and cooling the head through the device of the invention. Turning now to Fig. 3, the second embodiment of the cooling device of the invention 100 has as the core three strips of acrylic polymer (102, 104 and 106), carved into gently curved forms, so that when placed end to end they follow the diameter of an average-sized neck.

The strips 102, 104 and 106 are sewn into a cotton covering 108 so that the resultant product resembles a flattened, curved tube, with tapered ends 110 and 112.

The male part of press studs 114 are sewn along the length of the covering 108.

As shown in Fig. 4, shirt or dress 116 (upper part only is shown) has sewn around the neck opening 118 the female part of press studs 120.

Before use, the device 100 is soaked in water for an appropriate length of time, such as 10 to 30 minutes. The core piece strips of acrylic polymer 102. 104 and 106 absorb a significant amount of water. The device 100 is gently shaken or squeezed to remove excess water, particularly from the covering 108, so that the device 100 will not drip. The device 100 is then attached to the shirt or dress 116 by mating the male part of press studs 114 with the female part of press studs 120 around the neck opening 118 of the shirt or dress 116.

Wearing of the shirt or dress 116 with the attached device 100 will assist to cool the wearer in hot weather, as the water evaporates from the device 100. Once all the water has evaporated, the device 100 may be re-used by detaching it from the shirt or dress 116 and again soaking it in water.

In this way, the device is effective without the need to soak the shirt or dress itself in water. Referring now to Figs 5 and 6, cooling device 200 is made from two strips of cotton fabric 202 and 204 stitched together at 206 to contain crystals 208 which, when soaked in water, form a gelatinous mass. The hook portion of a Velcro closure 210 is stitched to strip 202.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, cooling device 200 can be attached to baseball cap 212 by mating hook portion of closure 210 with a loop portion of the Velcro closure (not shown) stitched to internal band 214 of cap 212.

In Fig. 8., cooling device 200 is shown attached to the inside of sports headband 216, made of towelling material. The manner of attachment is the same as in Fig. 7.

Turning now to Fig. 9. cooling device 300 is similar to that in Fig. 1. Covering 302 takes the form of a flat tube stitched to form four compartments 304, 306, 308 and 310, each of which contains small beads of the copolymer sold under the trade mark WATER-SORB, referred to above.

However, cooling device 300 does not include any attachment means. Rather, as shown in Fig. 10, cooling device 300 can be attached to hat 312 by inserting cooling device 300 in channel 314 formed inside internal hatband 316. Optionally, hatband 316 can include means to close off channel 314, to assist cooling device 300 to remain in place.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It will be appreciated that the cooling device and garment of this invention provide a significant advancement over the prior art. The invention can provide a relatively inexpensive means for cooling without causing damage or inconvenience to clothing or headwear.

It will also be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A cooling device for reducing body heat, the device comprising a core material capable of absorbing and holding a quantity of liquid, the core material being adapted to release the liquid through evaporation over a period of time, thus absorbing heat, a cover for the core material, the cover being adapted to permit evaporation of the liquid from the core material, and attachment means to permit the device to be removably attached to a garment (as herein defined).

2. The cooling device claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.

3. The cooling device claimed in claim 2 , wherein core material is in one or more large pieces and is pliable when engorged with water and stiffens aε the water evaporates.

4. The cooling device claimed in claim 3, wherein the core material is an acrylic polymer in εtrip form.

5. The cooling device claimed in claim 2, wherein the core material iε in crystalline form.

6. The cooling device claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover for the core material is cotton.

7„ The cooling device claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means is chosen from the group comprising hook-and-loop types closures, sliding clasp fasteners, press studs and buttons cooperating with button holeε.

8. The cooling device claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment is chosen from the group comprising a shirt, a dress, a hat, a headband, a sunvisor and a cap.

9. The cooling device claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment is an item of headwear and the device is attached to the item of headwear in such a way as to enable the device to contact the forehead region of a wearer of the item of headwear.

10. In combination, the cooling device claimed in claim 1, attached to a garment.

11. An item of headwear, comprising:

a sheet of flexible material having a front edge with opposite ends, portions of the sheet extending beyond the opposite ends, and

a visor portion attached to the sheet at the front edge between the opposite ends,

wherein the sheet is sized to cover a wearer's head and the portions of the sheet extending beyond the opposite ends of the front edge are adapted to be tied together, the item of headwear including a cooling device for reducing body heat, the device comprising a core material capable of absorbing and holding a quantity of liquid, the core material being adapted to release the liquid through evaporation over a period of time, thus absorbing heat, a cover for the core material, the cover being adapted to permit evaporation of the liquid from the core material, and attachment means to permit the device to be detached and re-attached to the item of headwear.